Button blank feeder



July 1, 1958 J. c. WORST 2,841,309

BUTTON BLANK FEEDER Filed Oct. 25, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR seo/z Cl Vorst BY M ATTORNEYS July 1, 1958 J. c. WORST BUTTON BLANK FEEDERFiled 001;. 25 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR y 1958 J. c. WORST2,841,309

BUTTON BLANK FEEDER Filed Oct. 25, 1955 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR('10s hCJ Varsf BY 55mm ATTORNEYS July 1, 1958 J. c. WORST 2,341,309

BUTTON BLANK FEEDER Filed 001:. 25, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 -M--IIIIIVIII.NIIIIIIIIIIVIIIHIA Illllllll INVENTOR 'IluwA.

close vlz G I Vorst v ATTORNEYS United States Z,84li,309 Patented July1, 1958 ice Joseph G Worst, Muscatine, Iowa Application Octoher 25,1955, Eeriai No.

was.

This invention relates to button blank finishing machines, preferablythose of the well-known Barry type having an endless series ofbutton-blank-holding chucks which move in an orbital path in themachine, said path having at one point a feeding station into which theblanks are inserted into the chucks as they pass the feeding station,and carry the blanks around to other stations which grind, polish ordrill the blanks and discharge the blanks from the chucks before thechucks return in their orbital path to the feeding station.

My present invention is a novel means for feeding button blanks, eitherof plain or shank type, into the moving chucks at the feeding station,said feeding means being adapted to blanks which are either plain or offiat type, or have integral shanks.

One object of the invention is to provide feeding means of the abovetype having a safety mechanism in the feeding means which will eliminatedamage to the buttons or breakage of machine parts in event the blanksin the feeding means should become jammed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeding means of theabove type in which the feed will be properly resumed after a jam isreleased, without any adjustment of the parts of the feeding means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a feeding means of theabove type in which the feed into the open chucks is always in alignmentwith the orbital path of the moving chucks during said feedingoperation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding means of theabove type which, in the event of a button jam in the feeding means,will not feed any blank at all, thereby eliminating improper feeding, orwasteful spillage of the blanks on the factory A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a simple and efficient feeding means havingprovisions whereby it is impossible to feed more than one button blankat a time into the open chucks, and having means to eliminate theslipping of clutches or breakage of machine parts if a feeding stroke isimpeded for any reason, the feeding means automatically resumingfeedingin perfect register with the moving chucks after any impeding blank isremoved from the path of the fed blanks, without any machine adjustment.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable othersfamiliar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize inthe claims, the novel features of construction, and novel combinationsof parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, partly in section, of a conventional buttongrinding and finishing machine of the Barry type, showing my novelfeeding means disposed at the feeding station.

Fig.2 isan enlarged pian' view of said feeding means, and showing a rowof chucks and h me adjacent parts of the Harry machine; and showing thepivot arm of the feeding means engaged with one of the button-blankholding chucks of the Barry machine; also showing a row of button blanksbeing fed successively into feeding position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a row of chucks of the Barry machine, andshowing my novel feeding mechanism; also showing the cam which supportsthe chucks in the Barry machine and raises or lowers the chucks to openor close same respectively.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view on the line 44, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 66, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section, showing the feeding finger, andshowing a row of button-holding chucks disposed thereunder.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the location of the slidingpin which initially holds the button blanks in feeding position in thefeeding finger prior to being ropped into the open chucks.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of one of the button blanks initiallyreceived in the feeding finger prior to being dropped into theunderlying open chucks.

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 9 but showing the feeding fingershifted into position to drop the button blank into the underlying openchuck as the feeding finger approaches the outward limit of its feedingstroke.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line al-ft1, Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l212, Fig. 10.

The button-blank griding, polishing or drilling machine illustrated inthe drawings is of the conventional type commonly known as a Barry blankfinishing machine; and consists of a row of chuck spindles A which arepivotally linked together as at B to form an endless series adapted torun around notched discs or wheels C and D respectively mounted onupright shafts E and P, Fig. 1, one of which discs or wheels may be adriving wheel so as to move the endless series of chuck spindles in anOrbital path, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. In each of the chuckspindles A is a chuck G having expansible and contractable jaws at itsupper end, the chucks G being supported upon ball feet H, Fig. 3, whichadjust the chucks G vertically in their respective spindles A, said ballfeet H engaging a cam I, Fig. 3, and riding upon the upper surfacethereof, said cam J at the feeding station having an upwardly inclinedportion J so that when the ball feet H ride upwardly on the inclinedportion J, the fingers of the chucks G above the spindles A will beexpanded to permit placement or discharging of a button blank L from thechucks G; but when the 'ball feet H ride upon the lower horizontalportion of cam I the chuck fingers will be contracted around the buttonblanks L and hold same securely in the chucks G while the chucks G passthrough the grinding, polishing or drilling stations (not shown). Assoon as the button blanks L have been placed in the expanded chucks G,cam I is inclined downwardly immediately beyond the feeding station tocontract and securely hold the blanks L in the chucks G. The abovearrangement of ball feet H and cam J in said Barry machine is well knownin the art, and needs no further description herein; nor does same formany part of my present invention.

My novel automatic button-blank feeding means consists of a feed plate 1of sufficient size to overlie the orbital path of the chucks G at thefeeding station, said feed plate 1 being supported upon a horizontal arm2 which is mounted on a clamp 3 surrounding one of the vertical framemembers K of the Barry machine so as to be securely held in horizontalfixed relation. Preferably plate is provided with transverse slots d,Fig. 2, engaged by s 5 or the iikc on arm 2 which may be loosened I ofthe. chucks 3 so as' to permit feed plate 1 to be adjusted towards orfrom the orbital path of the row of chucks G at the feeding station soas to align the feeding finger (hereinafter described) with the axialmovement of said row of chucks, after which the screws S may betightenedto retain feed plate 1 in desired position. I,

Preferably feed plate 1 and arm 2 are provided with an adjustmentassembly 6' to assist in properly holding and adjusting feed plate 1 onarm 2, said adjustment assembly being of any desired type, but as showncomprising a threadedbolt 6a rotatably mounted in a clip 612 on theouter edge of arm 2, bolt 6a being held in clip 65 against axialmovement with respect thereto, and the threaded end of bolt6zilengaginga threaded ear 6c on the outer edge of feed plate 1 so thatas the bolt 6a is rotated in either direction plate'l will be shiftedtransversely of the arm 2. I On the rear. end of feed plate 1 are spacedstrips 7 and 8 (Fig. 6) respectively, which are disposed at oppositesides of the axis of the orbital path of the row of chucks G, saidstrips7-8 being of height greater than thethickness of thebutton blanks Lwhether plain or of shank type} Mounted upon the spaced blocks 7 and 3is a fixed plate 9 which is disposed parallel with and above feed plate1 between the blocks 7 and 8.' Between the limited by a screw 10aoonfeedingfinger 10 which slides in a slot 9a in plate 9,-as shown in Figs.1, 2', 7, 9 and 10.

leaf-spring 13 which, as shown in Fig. 6, lies within a recess formedbetween block 7 and the adjacent side of the feeding finger 10, whichspring 13 when the feeding vfinger 10 is retracted to-the left (Fig. 11)is confined between block 7 and the adjacent face of feeding finger 10so that the pin 12 will pass through a bore 102: in feeding finger 10and its outer end will lie in the path of the button blank L which isseated in recess 10b of feeding finger 16; but when the feeding finger10 is shifted to the right into feeding position as shown in Fig. 12,

leaf-spring 13 will spring away from the adjacent edge of .feedingfinger lti and will thereby withdraw pin 12 out.-

wardly from bore 10x, thereby permitting the button blank L which isengaged in recess 1% of feeding finger it} to move axially of thefeeding finger 10into position to overlie and drop into the opened chuckG which underbrackets 16 secured thereto in any desired-manner,- in

which is mounted a travel arm 17 (Figs. 1, '2, 3 and Sloping downwardlyupon feed plate 1 is a feed chute V '11 in the form of a guide in whichthe button blanks L slide by gravity or the like, the lowermost blank Lex-:

tending through'a lateral opening in block 8 and being disposed upon thetop surface of feed plate 1. Plate 9, as shown in Fig. 2, has a lateralslot 9b therein whereby the button blanks L from feed chute 11. mayslide into a V feeding finger. It) is coaxial with the axis of movementof the underlying row of chucks G, and the parts are so I arrangedthat'the lowermost button blank L will be adapted to be seated in theunderlying chuck G upon reciprocation of feeding finger 10.

the next 7 In order'that the row of chucks G underlying the feed plate 1may be permitted to rise by action of the cam portion 1 without strikingthe underside of feed plate 1,

a groove 1x is preferably-provided in the underside of I plate'l, samevbeing of greater width than the upper ends of thechuckG, as shown inFig. 6, so that when the ball feet H ride up the inclined portion J ofcam J the tops G will not strike the under side of feed plate 1. Also'in feed plate v II 1, above the axis of movement of the 7 row ofchucks-G, a slot 1 (Figs. 4 and ll) is provided of which is adapted tobe reciprocated, as'hereinafter described,- parallel with the orbitalmovement of the row of chucks G at the feeding station; At the frontinner corner of travel arm 17 is apivot arm 18 '(Figs. 1 and.2)pivoted'thereto on pin 19, a spring 20 (.Fig. 2) normally urging thepivot 'arm.18 .to. swing outwardly of the' axis of movement of travel.arm 17 so that the outer free end of pivot arm 18, as shown in Figs. 1,2,4 andll will I contact .the frontof achuckspindle'A' so asto' shiftthe travel arm 17 to the right. (Fig. 2) by and with the move In orderto release pivot ga'ged, a dog 22is provided on clamp bracket 3 which isfixed with respect to the Barry machine frame and is o 17 is moved bypivot arm 18, which is engaged withthe related chuck spindle A, and theforward end of pivot Iwill be shifted by such engagementsoas to swingthe V inclined outwardly and inwardly withrespect to the movement oftravel arm 17 so that when the travel arm arm 18 engages the dog 22(Fig. 2) the pivot armo18 o pivot arm 18 towards the travel'arm 17 andthereby release the pivot arm 18 from engagement-with the chuck. spindleA, the pivot arm 18 normally; being projected; away from the travel arm17. by action of "spring 20,

' In order to prevent the pivot arm 18' from swinging I guide rod 25(Figs. 2, 4, s and 12 is provided which R is secured to the outer end ofpivot arm 18 and which is adapted to con'tact the adjacent side of thechuck spindle the substantially semi-circular recess 10b is such thatwhen the lowermost button blank L from chutell has 7 been deposited inthe recess 10b prior to being' fed into chuck G, that when the feedingfinger 10 is shfited to the 'righttFig. 4), the side of the feedingfinger 10 will engage and 12, and hold the row'of buttonlblanks L in thefeed chute 11: from further movement towardsfeeding finger In order a toprevent the lowermost button blank 'L which is engaged in thesemi-circular recess 15b of feedthe next adjacent button blank 'L, asshown in Figs. 111 V outwardly from travel arm 17 an excess distance, a

A, .as clearly shown in Figs. 2' and 4, to maintain the pivot arm 18 inproper engagedposition with the said chuck spindle A. I f

In order to prevent jamming of the machine and'damage to'the partsthereof onto the button blanks in event the feed chute 11 should becomejammed in anyway' with blanks L, relief means are provided, :as shown in1 on travel arm 17, an adjustable abutment 32 being proin timer 1% frombein' forced out of the semi-circular D D V -vided to; normallymaintainflthe pivot armi30substa.ntially normal to'the axis. dimovementof travel '17 against action of a'spring 33 .owhiehconnects. pivot arm-arm'18 from engagement with the chuck spindle'A with 'which'it has beenenit i.) 30 with travel arm 17, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Theangularity of pivot arm 30 with respect to travel arm 17, however, maybe adjusted by proper setting of the adjustment means 32.

The outer end of pivot arm 30 carries a threaded screw 34 (Fig. 2) whichis adjustable in pivot arm 39 and secured in adjusted position by locknut 35, the outer end of screw 34 normally contacting an abutment 36(Fig. 7) at the rear end of feeding finger 10, a spring 37 connectingpivot arm 30 with abutment 36 so as to yieldably maintain the abutment36 in contact with the free end of screw 34. By the above construction,in event the button blanks L in feed chute 11 should bind, or thelowermost blank L in the recess 10b of feeding finger 10 should bind,when the travel arm 17 is shifted to the right (Fig. 2) by engagement ofthe pivot arm 18 with the chuck spindle A, the pivot arm 30 would merelyyield to the left (Fig. 2) in a counterclockwise direction, therebyshifting screw 34 away from the abutment 36 of the feeding finger 19 sothat the feeding finger 10 would not be shifted to the right (Fig. 2)automatically by the movement of the chucks G approaching and leavingthe feeding station. As soon, however, as the jam of blanks has beenrelieved, the feeding mechanism would automatically assume its properworking relation with the pivot arm 35 normally yieldably disposed atright angles to the axis of movement of travel arm 17, whereupon, aseach chuck A approached the feeding station, the travel arm 17 would beshifted to the right (Fig. 2) by automatic engagement of the pivot arm18 with the related chuck A; and upon each reciprocation of the travelarm 17 towards the right (Fig. 2) the lowermost button blank L would beforced by the feeding finger 10 to the right (Fig. 2) to deposit abutton blank L in the underlying opened chuck G; and as soon as theforward end of pivot arm 18 engages the dog 22, the pivot arm 18 wouldbe swung towards the travel arm 17, thereby disengagingthe chuck withwhich it had previously been engaged, and the spring 21 will restore theparts to normal position so that the pivot arm 18 would be in positionto be positively engaged by the next or following chuck spindle A in therow, so as to actuate the parts to insert the next or following buttonblank L in the next or following chuck G.

The feeder above described has been found to be very etficient in thatit is impossible to feed more than one button blank I. at a time byreason of the receding pin 12, and by reason of the action of the pivotarm 3%) as a safety measure, which action eliminates the slipping of anyclutches or breaking of parts in the button machine if the feedingstroke is jammed or impeded for any reason; and moreover, the provisionof the pivot arm 30 and the receding pin 12 causes the mechanism toresume feeding in perfect register after any impeding jam or object isremoved from the feeding path 11 0f the blanks L, without anyadjustment.

Power to operate the feeding finger 10 is picked up from the movingchuck spindles A by the pivot arm 18, which is attached to travel arm 17causing the travel arm 17 to move forward in perfect register with themovement of chuck A until a button blank L is deposited in the same,after which the pivot arm 18 is tripped by contact against stationarydog 22, and all moving parts of the feeding mechanism are pulled back bythe spring 21 into normal original position where same dwell long enoughfor the next blank L to be advanced from the end of feed chute 11 intoposition to be fed into the next chuck G; this'cycle being repeated aseach chuck G passes the feeding station;

The pivot arm 30 is normally held against a stop 32 on travel arm 17 bythe spring 33, and pivot arm 30 transmits the stroke of travel arm 17 tothe feeding finger 10 which pushes the blank L forwardly in perfectregister with the chuck movement until the blank is dropped otf the feedplate 1 under which the chuck is passing and into the opened chuck G,but if, for any reason, normal movement of feeding finger 1b is impeded,the travel arm 17 continues its stroke cycle after cycle but the pivotarm 30 merely pivots on travel arm 17, stretching spring 33 during eachstroke of travel arm 17 until the jam or foreign object is removed; thenpivot arm 30 is again held by spring 33 against stop 32 on travel arm17, and movement of the feeding finger 1b is resumed in perfect registerwith the chucks A without any readjustment on the part of the operatoror attendant.

The receding pin 12 is needed only to keep the blank L that is inposition to be fed from rolling forward, or to the right (Fig. 2) afterbeing positioned in the recess 10b of the feeding finger it), as suchforward movement would allow the next blank in the feed chute 11 toadvance prematurely; and pin 12 recedes from this position during theforward stroke of feeding finger 10 so as to clear the blank completelyduring the return stroke of feeding finger 19.

My feeding mechanism is adaptable for use in feeding plain or flatblanks, as well as blanks which are provided with integral shanks.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, forobviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. in combination with a button blank finishing machine having buttonholding chucks moving to and from a feeding station and having means atsaid station for opening said chucks to receive therein button blanksrespectively; a feed plate on said machine overlying said ks above saidstation; a pair of spaced strips on said opposite sides of the axis ofmovement of said i; a feed finger reciprocably mounted on said plate 1said strips, said finger having a recess in its side ted to receive abutton blank; button blank feeding 1515 on said plate and adapted tofeed blanks successively a reciprecable travel arm carried by said theaxis of movement of the chucks; o the leading and of said travel arm;normally swinging the pivot arm into as the latter passes the feeding eadapted to en at of the travel ment with spring means .w retra to whenthe pivot arm 13 thus released into ngage the successive chuck; and asecond i on the trailing end of said travel arm yieldably with said feedfinger for reciprocating the latter n the travel arm, said yieldableconnection perhe eed finger to remain inoperative in event of lanks atthe feeding finger.

2. in a com ination as set forth in claim 1, means for adjustin feedingplate transversely of the of novement of the chucks.

' a a combination as set forth in claim 1, means for y maintaining ablank in said recess of the feed u- "l the feed finger is shifted intoposition to drop the blank into the chuck.

4. in a combination as set forth in claim 1, a leaf l- 3. in acombination as set forth in claim 1, an adustable stop on said travelarm normally engaged by said second Phdi are: for iii-aintahmi samesubstantially nor position to receive a button blank.

inal to .the travel arm; a second spring connecting the second pivotarm'and travel arm for holding the second pivotarrri against said'stop;athreaded member adjustably carried by the outer end of said secondpivot arm and normallyiengaging'the trailing end of said feedfinger, tonormally shift the feed finger with said travel arm; and a third springconnecting the outer end of the second pivotarm and. the said feedfinger to yieldably maintain the threaded memberin contact'with saidfeed finger.

6. In a combination as set forthin claim 1, a guide rod carried by theouter end of the first pivot arm and adapted 'to engage the adjacentside 'of the chuck with which the pivotarm'is engaged to limit theoutward swinging movement of said first pivot arm by the action of saidyieldable means; 7 V r V "7. In a combination as. set forth in claim 1,a plate mounted on the tops of said strips above the feed finger;

and a pin on said feeding finger slidablein a slot in said plate tolimit the reciprocating'movcment'of said feed 3. In acombination' as setforth in claim 7,, and said 7 platehaving a transverse slot thereinregistering with the the latter is shifted towards feeding position.

9. In a combination as set forth in clairn:1,said feed plate having arecess in its underside coaxial with'the axis of movement of the'chucksfor permitting the chuck at the feeding station to rise thereunder intochuck opening 10. lncombination with a button blank finishing machinehaving an endless series of button holding chucks moving in an orbitalpath to and from a feeding station and having means at said station foropening said chucks to:receive therein button blanks respectively; afeed plate 7 pair of strips-'saidfingerhaving'arecessiriitsside adaptedtoireceivefa button blank; an inclined button blank feed-1 ing chutehaving itslower end securedcn ,said-jplate and iadaptedito; feedf blankssuccessively into the recess of said: finger; a: travel arm reciprocablycarried by said plate; ,a'pivot .arni mounted at the-.Iezidingefid ofsaid 7 travelrarrn; yieldable means 'for normally swinging the pivotiarm' outwardly pf 'said travel arm; a fixeddog carriedbysaid plateadapted to engage said pivotarm at mounted on said machine overlyingsaid chucks above said i station, said plate having a slot therein inits side in alignment With/the axis of movement of said chucks;'a pair.betweensaid pair of strips, saidifinger having' a,recess in its sideadapted to receive abutton blank; an inclined button blank feeding chutehaving 'its'lower endsecured 7 on said plate and adapted to feed blankssuccessively into the" recessof said finger; a travel arm reciprocablymounted on said machine parallel'with and spaced from the axis ofmovement of the chucks at the feeding station;

a pivot arm mounted at" the leading end of said travel arm; yieldablemeans for normally swinging the pivot arm into engagement with a chuckas the latter passes the released, into position to engage the nextsuccessive chuck;

and a second pivot arm on the trailing end of said travel arm yieldablyconnected with said feed finger for recip-.

rocating the latter by and with the travelarm, said yieldable connectionpermitting the feed finger'to remain inoperative in event of jamming ofblanks at the feeding 111A button feeding mechanism comprising a feed ,77 plate having a slot therein in its side; a. pair of spaced strips onsaid plate atopposite sides of said slot; a feed V finger reciprocably-mounted.on;said plate between said of spaced strips on said plate atopposite sides of said 7 slot; a' feedffin'ger reciprocably mounted'onsaid Pl te '14. In mechanismas set Eforth' able stop. on said travel armnormally engaged jbysaid second pivotarm'for maintaining said secondpivot arm 7 substantially normal to the travel arm; a spring con;necting the second pivot arm and travel armiforholdingf the second pivotarm against'said, stop; a threaded ment-2 retracting'ithe travel arm -tonormal position; 'to'engage the'next successive chuck; and a secondpivot; arm on the trailing *end of said travelarm yieldably' connectedwith said feed 'finger fo'r'reciprocatin'g the latter by 'and' with thetravel arm, said yieldable connection permitting the feed finger 'toremain inoperative 'in event of jam ming of blanksat the feeding finger.

12. In a mechanism as set forth in claim l 1 means '7 V for initially,maintaining the. blank in said recess, of the 7 feed finger until thefeed finger is shifted.

13. lnimechanism .as set ,forth in claim 11, a

spring on the side of the feed finger disposed between therfinger andone of said strips adjacent the leading end of the feed finger, saidspring being adapted :to bow outwardly from the finger when thefingerapproaches tain the leadingbutton blank confinedyin said recess, untilthepin is drawn outwardly of its bore; by the forward movement oftherfeed finger.

ber adjustably'carried by the outer end of saidfSecond pivot arm; andnormally engaging the trailing end ,of said feed finger to normallyshift the, feed fingerwith said I travel arm; and a second springconnecting the outer end of the second pivot arm and thesaid feedfingerto yieldably maintain the'threaded'member in contactwith said feedfinger.

15. 'In mechanism as set: forth in claim 11, a'tplate mounted onthe'topsof said strips above the feed finger;

anda pin onsaid feeding finger slidable in a slot in said' plate tolimit the reciprocating limits offsaid feed;

finger.

16.v In mechanism as set forth in claim '15, and said plate having atransverse slot therein registering *with the feed chute for permittingthe lowermost button blank 7 V in the chuck to enter the recess in *thefeed finger, the

next adjacent blank in thechute being restrainedfrom movement'byengagementwith the side'of the feed finger when the latterisshiftedtowards feedingpositionzfl 2* iniclaim 11, an time.

"Apr. 29, 1952-

